Former Connecticut Police Chief Arrested Over Alleged $85,000 Theft

The former authorities chief in New Haven, Connecticut, was apprehended Friday on larceny charges following claims he took $85,000 from 2 department accounts.


Karl Jacobson, 56, who suddenly retired from the department in January, turned himself in on an arrest warrant. He was later launched on a court-set bond of $150,000, a state prosecutor said in a news release. Jacobson deals with 2 counts of larceny related to defrauding a public community.


"An allegation of embezzlement by a cops authorities is a severe matter and possibly undermines public self-confidence in the criminal justice system," Chief State's Attorney Patrick J. Griffin stated in a declaration.


Jacobson's legal representative, Gregory Cerritelli, said he could not react to the particular claims yet however advised the general public that "an arrest is not proof of guilt and allegations are not proof."


"This is the start of a long process," he stated in an emailed statement. "I prompt everybody to keep an open mind and avoid a rush to judgment."


Last month, New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker, when revealing Jacobson's retirement, said the former chief admitted he took cash from a city fund that compensates confidential informants for assisting cops fix criminal activities.


Elicker stated the previous taking the funds for individual usage when three of his deputies faced him over the monetary irregularities. According to the arrest warrant, Jacobson informed the deputies he was spending too much money on sports wagering apps, was looking for assistance for a gambling dependency and planned to change the cash.


During the recorded discussion, Jacobson asked forgiveness and asked the deputies "for a chance to save myself" so he could avoid going to prison and losing his pension, according to the warrant.


Investigators figured out that Jacobson wagered more than $4.4 million on his DraftKings and FanDuel accounts between Jan. 1, 2025, and Jan. 5, 2026. He won more than $4.2 million however lost more than $214,000. Jacobson earned $180,000 a year as authorities chief.


The mayor called the claims "stunning" throughout a Friday press conference and stated Jacobson initially confessed taking $10,000 from only one cops account.


"We didn't know how deep this went," Elicker stated, noting the case stays under investigation.


"It ´ s a really unfortunate day for the city to see a chief, who was precious by numerous people, detained for a theft of public money and also money that was planned for kids," Elicker said. Jacobson is accused of likewise taking money from the police athletic league, which offers a variety of programs for the city's youth.


Jacobson had served for 3 years as cops chief in among Connecticut ´ s largest cities, which is home to Yale University. He took office in July 2022, simply weeks after a Black male was paralyzed in the back of a paddy wagon in an occurrence that roiled the police department and the city.


The state district attorney's office said Friday the city of New Haven initially reported the embezzlement allegations on Jan. 5, which prompted an examination by the Connecticut State Police. The probe revealed $81,500 was unaccounted for or misused from the New Haven Police Department Narcotic Enforcement Fund between Jan. 1, 2024, and Jan. 5, 2026. Money from the fund is utilized to pay private informants who help in narcotics investigations.


"The accused had access to money because fund," according to a press release, which said bank records revealed checks associated with the fund were deposited into Jacobson's personal bank account.


Two checks amounting to $4,000 were also withdrawn from the New Haven Police Activity League Fund between Dec. 23 and Dec. 24, 2025. The district attorney's office stated both were found in Jacobson's individual account. Investigators stated no one else at the authorities department was associated with the matter.


Jacobson had actually been with the department for 15 years before being named chief. He previously served in the East Providence Police Department in Rhode Island for 9 years.